Right as rainy

There has been a number of films with a political background in the last few years – many of them are trying to create awareness for current or past, forgotten problems in the world. Ridley Scott’s recent circuit effort ‘Body of Lies’ joins the ranks of these, and sits right up there with the likes of ‘Lord of War’ or ‘Syriana’. It tells the story of an undercover CIA operative, who tries to infiltrate terrorist groups and network in the Middle East. A dangerous game, in which no-one can be trusted.

I don’t know if the writers tried to follow the zeitgeist, or if it is actually a story someone wanted to tell. Let’s face it, Muslim terrorists are hardly an original idea these days, and the danger of succumbing to stereotypes and propaganda is very high. But this one is not about the big struggle, the War on Terror. That’s only a background motif. Essentially the story is about a man who wants to do the right thing, who wants to make a small contribution so that some day the world can be a safer, better place. He believes that things need to be done the right way, not whatever it takes. That puts him in direct opposition to his boss, for whom all that counts is results, and anything goes as far as achieving them is concerned. That’s the kind of thinking that puts the operative at risk.

The good guys in the trenches, the bad guys behind the scenes? Sounds a bit stereotype, doesn’t it? But with all the potential cliche, the makers have been able to avoid most of it. That is also thanks to the excellent cast. Leonardo DiCaprio has proved on numerous occasions what a class act he has become. You just can’t typecast this guy. Russell Crowe, almost unrecognizable with a lot of added weight and a southern accent, makes for an excellent, unscrupulous CIA boss. Mark Strong as the head of Jordanian Intelligence does a great job portraying a character which is initially sympathetic, but soon makes you weary about what is to come. Most of the story plays out between this triangle, and the unpredictable actions of each character keep the suspense up.

What ultimately sells this movie is its starkness, the fact that it is very unpersonal. There is a hint of a love story unfolding which initially makes you roll your eyes, but it doesn’t go at all as planned or expected. ‘Body of Lies’ concentrates on the task at hand. One may not agree with everything that happens in the Middle East, and I am always careful with the depiction of religious acts and habits in a movie. But what is important is the ‘Body of Lies’ doesn’t form an opinion for the viewer, instead it leaves enough room for you to make up your own mind – if you’re that way inclined. That makes it one of the movies you should definitely have seen last year, or catch on DVD when it comes out.